United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson announced yesterday changes, effective immediately, to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) questionnaire.
What is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?
All individuals seeking to travel to the USA visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must complete the ESTA questionnaire, pay a fee, and obtain travel authorisation before being allowed to travel to the USA visa-free. The ESTA questionnaire requests information about the applicant, US travel plans, US address, screening questions, and other details.
What are the Changes to the ESTA Questionnaire?
Effective immediately, the ESTA Questionnaire now requests additional information concerning, inter alia, an applicant's passport data, contact information, and any aliases.
Who can travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program?
Under the 2014 regulations, citizens of the following countries: the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland may qualify to travel to the USA if they meet specified requirements and are seeking to travel to the US for no more than 90 days for business (excluding work) or pleasure, or in transit.
Also under 2014 regulations, citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia the Republic of Korea and Taiwan may be able to travel to the USA under the VWP if they meet the requirements specified above and they have an electronic passport.
The Visa Waiver Program imposes other requirements and restrictions, as periodically modified by the US government, which travellers must meet abide by in order to qualify for visa-free travel.
The American Immigration Law Office's US immigration lawyer in London, England, regularly assists applicants with visitor for pleasure and visitor for business visas at the United States Embassy in London, UK. Contact the firm today to discuss your case!